Lord Shiva as Kalantaka

In an earlier post at this link here, I wrote about various aspects of Lord Shiva which are particularly acknowledged in the history and worship at Arunachala, namely; Lingodbhavamurti, Bhikshatana, Ardhanarishvara and Dakshinamurthi. However as Arunachala and Shiva are regarded as synonymous, all fascinating and inspirational aspects of the Great Lord help us understand the subtleties of the various aspects Lord Shiva represents. 

The below legend of Shiva as Kalantaka (the Conqueror of Time and Death) establishes that the true devotee achieves freedom from death and samsara by worship of Shiva. It also demonstrates that egoism and pride (here of Yama) are always humbled. 

The legend of Shiva as Markandeya's saviour is a major myth of salvation in Tamil Shaivism. The sage Mrikandu prayed to Shiva and the Lord offered him a choice: a virtuous son who would live sixteen years, or a hundred long-lived, foolish sons. Mrikandu chose the former and accordingly had a son, whom he named Markandeya. As Markandeya neared the end of his fifteenth year, Lord Brahma taught him the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra that is meant to conquer death by giving long life. As per Brahma's advice, Markandeya prayed to Shiva, worshipping the Lingam. The gods pleaded with Shiva to extend Markandeya's life and Shiva consented. 

 

As per his destiny, the messengers of Yama came to take away Markandeya's soul, but failed to approach him as he ceaselessly repeated Shiva's name. Yama came himself to take Markandeya's soul and told Markandeya to stop his worship and come with him as per his fate. Markandeya refused, warning Yama that he was committing an offence against Shiva. Yama, however, proclaimed that not even Shiva could stop him. The wrathful Yama assumed a fearsome form and threw his noose to capture Markandeya, who hugged the Lingam tightly. When the noose touched the Lingam, Shiva emerged from it and struck Yama with his Trishula and kicked his chest, killing the lord of death. 

Sages, gods and other beings appeared to praise Shiva, who blessed Markandeya to remain a youth of sixteen. As no one remained in the world to make beings die, the earth became burdened by evil beings. The earth, the gods, and Markandeya invoked Shiva to revive Yama. Once again, Shiva touched Yama with his foot, bringing him back to life. Different myths narrate how Yama promises never to touch Shiva's devotees. Shiva's devotees on death are directly taken to the abode of Shiva, Mount Kailash. 

Below is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra found in the Rig Veda.

>

 Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

"Tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanamurvārukam 

Iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt" 

We meditate on the three-eyed reality which permeates and nourishes all like a fragrance. May we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality. 

Pushparatheshwara Temple

Named Gnayiru after the Sun God, the village (which is on the way to Chennai) has numerous legends, one of which is connected with Tiruvannamalai. The God Surya who was estranged from his wife Chayadevi came to propitiate the Lord at the Arunachaleswarar Temple. While circumambulating the shrine he saw a light which fell on him by way of blessings and then moved away. Intrigued, he followed the light till it reached the village of Gnayiru where it fell on a Linga and vanished. Surya was pleased at the happening and for Shiva's (Lord Pushparatheshwara) Blessings, afterwhich Surya returned to his wife.

Surya, the Sun God

Since the Sun God is said to have bathed in the pond, it became known as Surya Theertham and there is also a Surya Shrine in the Temple. People visit the Pushparatheshwara Temple in the hope that they will be cured of eye related disorders and ailments, relief of pains and that the Lord will shower prosperity on them.

Another legend explaining the history of Pushparatheswara Temple tells of a king and ardent devotee of Shiva, who during his travels went looking for red lotuses to propitiate the God. The king found a pond of red lotuses in the village of Gnayiru and struck by the beauty of one of the flowers went into the pond to pluck it.

But the closer he got to the flower the farther it moved away. Frustrated with his attempts to pluck it, he threw his sword at the flower. The sword found its mark on a Shiva Linga which was being guarded by the lotus. Blood started spurting from the Linga and the whole pond turned red. There was a blinding light and noise. Witnessing this spectacle, the king turned blind. His horse ran amuck.

The king repented his action and prayed to Lord Shiva, who returned his eyesight and instructed the king to build a Temple at the bank of the lotus pond.

Sri Pushparatheshwara Temple

A different story tells that Surya (the Sun) cursed by Lord Brahma, comes to Earth looking for a place to pray to Lord Siva. He chanced upon a beautiful pond, filled with huge lotuses, some of which even had 1,000 petals. Fascinated, Surya ventured into the water to offer his prayers. Touched by Surya's devotion, Lord Siva appeared as a Lingam on one of the lotuses and cured him. Filled with joy and gratitude Surya built a temple for the Lingam, in Gnayiru (Sun) Village.

It is said that the village used to be home of Kanva Maharishi. At the Temple there is also an altar for Sangili Nachiyar, the wife of Tamil saint-poet Sundarar. Sage Sage Agastiyar (author of Aditya Hridaya Stotram) is reputed to have stayed at Sri Pushparatheswarar Temple.

Adi Annamalai Temple

The name of this Temple, Adi Annamalai means 'first' or 'ancient' Annamalai (Arunachaleshwarar). Its size is small and it occupies only 1/2 acre in size – compared with the 25-26 acre size of Arunachaleswarar Temple on the Tiruvannamalai side of the Hill. The legend of Adi Annamalai recounts that Brahma, after His dispute with Vishnu about the fiery column, made a lingam and went to the other side of the Hill to worship Shiva. Thus, this lingam is supposed to be the first, ancient and original lingam of Annamalai and hence the name Adi Annamalai.

It is reported that the vision of Arunachala from this Temple is known as Siva Yoga Muka Darshan and the great Siddha Thirumoolar saw this aspect. Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi who used to camp at Adi Annamalai for up to 2-3 nights while performing Giri Valam was reported to have said that while at the Temple he heard the celestial recital of 'Sama Veda'.

In spite of its illustrious history and position as one of the foremost Temples at Arunachala, the Adi Annamalai Temple was sadly neglected in the 20th Century. The last time Adi Annamalai Temple was renovated was during the years 1903-1918 when work was financed by a group of Chettiar devotees. A subsequent Kumbabhishekam was celebrated in 1967; but the puja was neither proper nor performed in the correct way. Since that time no substantial renovation or maintenance work has occurred at this Temple.

Swami Ramanananda (well known in this area) would meditate at Adi Annamalai Temple from between 1988-1992 for up to 4 hours a day. While at the Temple he couldn't fail but notice the whole of it was in a bad condition; there was only meagre lighting as the entire electrical wiring was in a damaged condition and the Temple was full of bats and had a very bad smell. Even though, the Adi Annamalai Temple falls under the aegis of The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, at that time, it was not properly maintained. As a result of a near electrocution of an innocent visitor, our Swami became inspired to take action. He found out that the necessary electrical work for the Temple would cost Rs.75,000/-, so went about utilising contacts to raise the amount. Within 6 months money was raised and the work of installing new electrical wiring throughout the Temple completed.

At the electrical inauguration, The Temple Board Deputy Commissioner coincidentally visited Adi Annamalai and while there spoke to Swami saying, "Swami you should now do the full renovation of this Temple and also arrange the subsequent Maha Kumbabhishekam". Swami was perplexed as he had raised Rs.115,000/- for the electrical work and ceremonies but found that the estimate for a full Temple renovation and lavish Maha Kumbabhishekam would come to 30 Lakhs – and there was only Rs.25,000 remaining from the electrical work collection. However after prayful meditation, Swami became convinced that he had the Grace and Blessings of Sri Ramana Maharshi to undertake the work, so went about raising funds and overseeing all renovation and rebuilding work at Adi Annamalai Temple. Ganesha Puja was performed on January 26th, 1993 and in February 7th, 1994 Temple work officially started. The work to be undertaken: wiring, rebuilding crumbling stucco idols at all Towers, new flooring, roof tiled with brick tiles, rooms renovated including all doors and all palanquins (for procession of idols) to be repaired and painted. The entire work took 2½ years to complete and cost approximately the 30 Lakhs that was originally estimated (i.e. U.S.$75,500).

Previously few pilgrims visited Adi Annamalai Temple, however nowadays during Poornima (when about 5 Lakhs visit Tiruvannamalai) about 50,000 pilgrims come to take darshan at Adi Annamalai Temple.

Arunachaleswarar Temple

Arunachaleswarar Temple at the foot of Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai, is one of the largest (27 acres) and oldest Temples in South India. The tallest tower (Gopuram) of the Temple is 13 stories (60 metres) high.

The Temple occupies a special place in the Saivite realm and is regarded as one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams (one of the five great Temples associated with the five basic elements). Arunachaleswaraar is related to the element Fire and the other four Temples are: Tiruvanaikkaval (Water), Chidambaram (Space), Kanchipuram (Earth) and Sri Kalahasti (Wind) respectively.

The mythlogy surrounding the Temple goes that after Shiva promised his effulgent form would shine forever as the eternal immutable Arunachala, the Gods Brahma and Vishnu asked that He moderate the effulgence of the Hill, to make it more bearable. They thus requested Shiva should make his eternal abode at Arunachala in the form of a Shiva Lingam on the eastern site of the Hill. The Lord agreed and immediately appeared in the form of a Shiva Lingam. To house the Lingam, Arunchaleswarar Temple was gradually formed around it. The Lingam is now situated inside the Shiva Sannidhi of the Temple.

There is an air of deep mysticism around the Temple and it has been been known for its long association with Yogis, Siddhas, and the well known spiritual savant Ramana Maharishi. The origin of the Temple dates way back in time, although much of the Temple structure as seen today, is a result of building activity over the last one thousand years.

To read more stories adapted from the Skanda Purana about the mythology of Arunachala, please visit this link.